MTA Introduces Open-Gangway Trains on New York’s G Line

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has introduced open-gangway subway cars on the G line, marking a further step in its efforts to modernise New York City’s transit system.

This development makes the G line the second in the city to operate open-gangway trains, following the C line, which introduced the design in 2024.

The newly introduced R211 subway cars feature open walkways between carriages, allowing passengers to move freely throughout the train.

The vehicles include a range of modern features aimed at improving passenger experience and operational efficiency. Notable upgrades include:

• Wider Doors — Door openings measure 58 inches, which is eight inches wider than those on previous models. The MTA has indicated that these wider doors should help reduce the time trains spend at stations by facilitating quicker boarding and alighting.
• Security Cameras — Each car is equipped with security cameras to enhance passenger safety.
• Increased Accessibility — Additional seating for passengers with disabilities and a more spacious design improve accessibility for wheelchair users and those with strollers.
• Improved Signage and Lighting — Enhanced digital displays provide more detailed station-specific information, while brighter lighting contributes to overall visibility and safety.

The deployment of these trains is part of a broader strategy to upgrade the MTA’s rolling stock. In 2024, the New York City Transit Committee approved an order for 435 additional R211 cars, including 80 open-gangway models.

When fully delivered, these units will replace the aging R44 fleet on the Staten Island Railway and R46 subway cars, which have been in service for several decades on various lines, including the G. The R211 models are also expected to begin replacing the R68 series, which has been in operation since the 1980s.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said:

The innovations we’re bringing to New York’s only crosstown subway line are key to improving service long term for thousands of daily riders in Brooklyn and Queens. That’s why new train cars and modern signals are such huge components of the next MTA Capital Plan – and why Albany needs to fully fund it so we can keep making progress.

The new trains have an average mean distance between failure (MDBF) rate of approximately 220,000 miles, a significant improvement over the R46 fleet, which averages 46,000 miles. This is expected to lead to improved service reliability and reduced maintenance disruptions.

NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said:

Between improved reliability, safety enhancements and amenities, R211 train cars will make a world of difference for train riders. The R211s are state of the art and less prone to breakdowns, which means smoother trips and more reliable service for decades to come.